What We're Reading This Morning -- May 7
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Good morning, everyone! There’s a lot going on this week, especially in the states. In Utah, an anti-women’s health law that restricts women’s access to comprehensive care takes effect tomorrow. Meanwhile, in neighboring Arizona, Governor Jan Brewer signed a bill that would bar funding to Planned Parenthood. Here’s what we’re reading this morning…
A new poll shows growing gender gap in the swing states, with women standing behind President Obama. “Swing States poll: The gender gap is getting bigger“– “The gender gap is getting bigger. A new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of swing states shows a difference of 20 percentage points in the presidential preferences of men and women. Women support President Obama by 12 points, 52%-40%, in the survey of registered voters April 26-May 2 in 12 battleground states. Men support Mitt Romney by eight points, 50%-42%. The gender gap was 12 points in the February Swing States survey and 17 points in March, a time when Democrats were decrying what they called a ‘war on women’ in GOP policies on contraception policy and abortion rights. Republicans have responded by arguing that Obama's economic policies have hurt many women, and the Romney campaign has put Ann Romney in the spotlight..”
In Utah, an anti-women’s health law will require women to wait 72 hours before having an abortion. “Hundreds of new laws taking effect in Utah” – “Opponents of a 72-hour waiting period for abortions in Utah don't plan a legal challenge before the law takes effect on Tuesday, despite some similarities to a South Dakota law that has been put on hold by a federal judge. The Utah law, while burdensome to women, doesn't have other restrictions that raised constitutional concerns in South Dakota, said Karrie Galloway, the executive director of Planned Parenthood of Utah. Most notably, women are not required to seek counseling at pregnancy help centers that discourage abortions. While doctors throughout the state are permitted to conduct the initial counseling session, Galloway said it isn't clear who will coordinate that information with the abortion clinics. But the group will adhere to the law, despite the new hurdles. ‘It's only there to punish women, to force them to make the decision legislators want them to make,’ Galloway said about the waiting period. ‘But we will make it work, even though it's a hindrance to women and difficult for us to implement.’”
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed a law that bans funding to Planned Parenthood. “The GOP war on women marches on as AZ bans funding to Planned Parenthood” – “Seems the Grand Ole Party's war on women marches on--this time it's through Arizona. The Republican controlled State Senate voted to ban funds to Planned Parenthood for non-abortion purposes. The law was signed by governor Jan Brewer on Friday. The view from 'the Right' does not look good for low-income women whose sole source of healthcare for some is Planned Parenthood. In fact over 20,000 will reportedly lose services like mammograms, pregnancy and STD testing, teen pregnancy prevention education and contraceptives in that State. Arizona already has laws on the books preventing P.P. from using federal funds for abortion but still felt the need to enact more stringent legislation. Planned Parenthood is considering taking legal action against this law which many feel is unconstitutional. In fact the same day Brewer signed the Bill into law, a judge in Texas ruled that a similar law in that State was unconstitutional, reported the Los Angeles Times.”
